The UK government’s Warm Homes Plan, launched on January 20, 2026, has just reshaped the future of home heating. With £15 billion committed over five years to upgrade up to 5 million homes, air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are front and centre. No gas boiler ban for existing properties, but serious new incentives to switch to efficient, low-carbon heating—and for the first time, real support for systems that cool your home in summer too.
If you’re in Poole, Bournemouth, Weymouth, Christchurch, or anywhere in Dorset, this is big news. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s changed in 2026 and how it could benefit your home.
Key Changes for Air Source Heat Pumps in 2026
- Warm Homes Plan Launch – A Massive Push for Heat Pumps Announced mid-January 2026, this £15bn programme targets fuel poverty, bill reductions (hundreds of pounds per year for many), and net-zero progress. Heat pumps are a cornerstone, with ambitions to reach 450,000+ installations annually by 2030. It combines grants, low-interest loans for solar + batteries + heat pumps, and insulation support—making combos like ASHP + solar even more attractive in sunny Dorset.
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) – Grants Secured & Expanded
- The £7,500 grant for air-to-water ASHPs (standard heating-focused models) remains unchanged and fully available in England and Wales.
- The scheme has been extended to 2029/30 with a boosted budget (£2.7bn total allocation).
- Big new addition: Air-to-air heat pumps (reversible units that heat in winter and provide air conditioning in summer) are now eligible for the first time, with a £2,500 grant (introduced late 2025/early 2026).
- No more mandatory loft/cavity insulation requirements—making eligibility easier for many Dorset homes.
- Zero VAT on installs continues until March 2027.
- Future Homes Standard – Heat Pumps Default for New Builds Confirmed to roll out early 2026: New homes in England must feature low-carbon heating (heat pumps as standard), high efficiency, and often solar. This accelerates supply chains and tech improvements nationwide, benefiting retrofit installs too.
- No Forced Gas Boiler Phase-Out for Existing Homes The previous 2035 target for banning new gas boilers in existing properties has been dropped for flexibility. Gas boilers stay an option, but incentives strongly favour heat pumps for those ready to switch.
What This Means for Dorset Homeowners Right Now
Dorset’s mild climate makes ASHPs particularly effective—they perform well in our winters and, with air-to-air options now grant-supported, can deliver welcome cooling during hotter summers without separate AC units.
Typical benefits we’re seeing in local installs:
- 3–4x efficiency vs old gas boilers → lower running costs.
- Combined with solar (strong Dorset sunshine), near-zero heating bills in many cases.
- Easier planning (earlier 2025 boundary rule relaxations still apply).
- Better comfort: Zoned, responsive heating/cooling for coastal humidity and open-plan homes.
If your current bills are high or you’re planning upgrades, 2026 is an ideal time—the grants are secure, eligibility is broader, and the government is actively pushing adoption.
Ready to Explore Heat Pumps for Your Dorset Property? At The 2 Brothers, we’re MCS-certified and handling more ASHP installs than ever across Poole, Bournemouth, and beyond. We manage grant applications, site surveys, full installs, and maintenance.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation assessment—we’ll check your home’s suitability, run your numbers, and explain exactly how these 2026 changes could work for you.
Call 01202 985276 Today!
The 2 Brothers team – Your local Dorset renewable experts. Updated January 30, 2026. All details based on the Warm Homes Plan launch, current Boiler Upgrade Scheme rules, and GOV.UK/Ofgem guidance. Eligibility varies by property—always confirm with an installer.
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